Price: $195
Website: sonymobile.com
While there is nothing glaringly wrong with
the Xperia Tipo, there aren’t any stand-out features either, other than its
competitively low price. If you want to grab yourself an Android 4.0 smartphone
and are strapped for cash, then it makes a decent entry-level option. But
against other budget Android devices, there are many more interesting choices
out there, making the Xperia Tipo a tough sell against its high-quality rivals.
Specifications
·
OS: Android 4.0 ICS
·
Screen: 3.2-inch TFT
·
Resolution: 320 x 480 pixels
·
Input Capacitive: touchscreen
·
Processor: 800MHz single-core
·
Memory: 512MB
·
Storage: 2.9GB internal, MicroSD up to 32GB
·
Camera: 3.2MP rear-facing
·
Flash: No
·
Video: 640 x 480 pixels
·
Wireless: 802.llb/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1
·
Ports: 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0
·
Standby time 470 hours
·
Talk time 5 hours
·
Size: 103x57 x 13mm
·
Weight: 99g
Verdict: A
decent Android handset that’s cheap but cuts a few too many corners.
Price: $270
Website: sonymobile.com
The Sony Xperia U is a pleasing device to
use, with few notable weaknesses other than its slightly lackluster camera and
limited storage. It would be a decent handset even if it was sold for a higher
price, so compared to similarly-priced devices it is way ahead of the game in
terms of performance and usability. For that reason, it is a great entry-level
Android smartphone and one that we like a lot.
Specifications
·
OS: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
·
Screen: 3.5-inch TFT
·
Resolution: 480 x 854 pixels
·
Input Capacitive: touchscreen
·
Processor: 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9
·
Memory: 512MB
·
Storage: 4GB internal
·
Camera: 5MP rear-facing, 0.3MP front-facing
·
Flash: LED
·
Video: 720p HD at 30fps
·
Wireless: 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1
·
Ports: 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0
·
Battery: 6 hours talk time, 472 hours standby
·
Size: 112x54x12mm
·
Weight: 110g
Verdict:
Packing style, power and a sharp screen, it provides a great user experience.
Price: $38
Vodafone
155
A phone for the elderly needs to be easy to
use but low prices and low tech components often results in convoluted
interfaces. And sadly, that has happened here. While much of the design, as
well as the thoughtful home dock accessory which is included, make this an
ideal mobile phone for an elderly relative, it could still be better. For $38,
it’s hard to argue though, if this is the type of phone you’re looking for.
Specifications
·
OS: Proprietary
·
Screen: 1.7-inch LCD
·
Resolution: 128 x 160 pixels
·
Input: Keypad
·
Processor: IBC
·
Memory: TBC
·
Storage: 0.3MB
·
Camera: No
·
Flash: No
·
Video: No
·
Wireless: No
·
Ports: No
·
Standby time: 700 hours
·
Talk time: 10 hours
·
Size: 110x57x14mm
·
Weight: 68g
Verdict:
Great value but lacks the simplicity that some users may demand.
Price: $105
At less than $80 on PAYG, the Vodafone
Smart 2 is cheaper than the Samsung Tocco Lite 2 feature-phone, yet packs full
smartphone features and better usability. Its strong mobility only adds to the
overall package, making it the perfect choice for first-time smartphone owners.
For the price it is one of the best we’ve seen, making this a great value
handset and one which is well worth the staggeringly low asking price.
Specifications
·
OS: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
·
Screen: 3.2-inch TFT
·
Resolution: 320 x 480 pixels
·
Input Capacitive: touchscreen
·
Processor: 832MHz ARMv6
·
Memory: 512MB
·
Storage: 150MB internal, MicroSD up to 32GB
·
Camera: 3.2MP rear-facing
·
Flash: LED
·
Video: 640 x 480 pixels at 15fps
·
Wireless: 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1
·
Ports: 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0
·
Battery: 16 hours talk time, 300 hours standby
·
Size: 109 x58x 12mm
·
Weight: 120g
Verdict: Few
phones are this good at this price. An excellent, value-packed handset.
Price: $300
In terms of raw performance at this price,
combined with its excellent pure Android experience, the ZTE Grand X offers
great value for money. It lacks the build quality of more premium rivals,
however, and over the length of a contract the plastic KY feel of the chassis
may start to bug you. And don’t forget that the similarly priced HTC One V,
which also runs Android 4.0 on a slightly slower processor, is much more of a
looker.
Specifications
·
OS: Android 4.0 ICS
·
Screen: 4.3-inch TFT
·
Resolution: 540 x 960 pixels
·
Input Capacitive: touchscreen
·
Processor: 16Hz dual-core
·
Memory: 512MB
·
Storage: 4GB internal, MicroSD up to 32GB
·
Camera: 5MP rear-facing, 0.3 MP front-facing
·
Flash: LED
·
Video: 1080p HD at 15fps
·
Wireless: 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1
·
Ports: 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0
·
Standby time: TBC
·
Talk time: TBC
·
Size: 127x65x10mm
·
Weight: 110g
Verdict: A
great no-frills smartphone with a pure Android 4.0 operating system.
Price: $90
Thought the phone industry was already
cut-throat? It’s about to turn into a massacre, but us shoppers only stand to
gain from this vicious price war. If you want up-to-date affordability on your
network of choice, the Huawei Blaze is a no-brainer. This is a great
entry-level Android phone that doesn’t let you down in terms of performance.
Rivals may offer more style but they will struggle to match its value.
Specifications
·
OS: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
·
Screen: 3.2-inch TFT
·
Resolution: 320 x 480 pixels
·
Input Capacitive: touchscreen
·
Processor: 600MHz Qualcomm MSM7227
·
Memory: 256M B
·
Storage: 512MB, MicroSD
·
Camera: 3.15MP rear-facing, 0.3MP rear-facing
·
Flash: No
·
Video: Yes
·
Wireless: 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1
·
Ports: 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0
·
Standby time: 300 hours
·
Talk time: 4 hours
·
Size: 110 x 57 x 11mm
·
Weight: 104g
Verdict: An
Android phone that punches well above its weight. And at a great price.
